When Should I Book?

[travellady]

It looks like we'll plan for the 12/16 3 day cruise. When should I book this cruise? When I check the Disney Cruise line site, it says Early Booking Savings. Does anyone know how long this will last? I don't want to put the deposit down until I get my income tax refund - probably mid Feb (need to get that W2 to get it filed).

I'm looking at a Cat 7 - total price for quoted for 2 adults and one 11 year old is 1,899.55. Does this sound reasonable for this date? Since this is before most kids get out of school for Christmas break, should I expect I have a lot of time to book? Are all cruises fully booked or can we expect a partially empty ship at this time?

 

[debm]

That sounds like an excellent price to me. No matter what, I've always heard the earlier you book the better. You don't have to pay it all now, just a deposit. Might be worth it versus paying an extra amount per person if you wait. The prices will only continue to go up. I wish we could cruise for that price. There are 6 in our family so we have to pay adult prices for 2 of our kids and get two rooms! We've done a Cat. 10, SPH Cat. 10 and next time we are splurging for a Cat. 9. Sounds to me like you have a great deal and it is a nice time to go. The ship it decorated for the holidays. Our first cruise was the 1 st week of Dec. 2002. Castaway Cay was a bit cold for our kids---the water that is. But there were plenty of people in it. My kids are just young enough that they want the water like a bathtub! Have lots of fun!!!

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I agree, put down the deposit as soon as you can. If for some reason you have to change dates or you want to change cabins you can always transfer the deposit. The closer the time of the sailing the higher the price usually goes.

 

[travellady]

I'll plan on booking as soon as I get my tax refund - my return is all but done, just waiting for the W-2 to arrive. I'll keep my fingers crossed that cost will be the same or close to the same when I book in Feb and I'll get a stateroom of choice.

When is the latest anyone has booked and still had a decent rate and a decent stateroom? Or, better yet, how soon can I expect a cruise to fill up for the Dec 16 timeframe?

 

[kcashner]

There is no downside to early booking. You get the best "early booking savings", and IF the price drops, DCL will match the new price even if you have made your final payment. Many more prices go UP than down, so if you book early, you are locked in at the lower price.

As to the latest I've booked and gotten a good cabin, good price....48 hours before checking in at the port. However, that was a last minute fluke, and I wouldn't count on it. THe closer to the holidays you are, the less likely to get good rates.....

 

[travellady]

I just checked Expedia and for the exact same cabin class (cat 7), same dates, the price is 269.00 cheaper - 1630.55 vs. 1899.00. Other than the 50.00 non refundable fee if I cancel, can anyone tell me what the downside is to booking through Expedia vs. directly from DCL? Are there other cheaper options I've overlooked? I am a AAA member and will have an AP if that matters.

 

[disneybride96]

Try Dreams Unlimited. (ad above)

I just booked the 4 day only 19 days out, still got the early booking discount and an additional $50 off through them. I know they have larger discounts for the longer cruises. According to others in this cruise, they have great service.

Cat 11....$1249.70


Susan